5.13 - reviews (central post) MAJOR SPOILERS
Spoiler alert! All reviews, including some of the excerpts below, contain MAJOR spoilers for viewers who haven't yet seen the episode.
This post will be updated as new reviews are released.
bbcone Anyone else got tears streaming down their cheeks watching Merlin? A fitting end to 5 great series, @BradleyJames. Thanks for watching
Cult Box: Merlin': 'The Diamond of the Day (Part Two)' review 5/5
We probably all had our pet hopes and wishes for the finale, once we had swallowed the fact that the series was ending, but feel the show had it pitch perfect in choosing to centre the episode on
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the magic reveal
and its effect on the central relationship. Even if the finale was not everything we expected, it certainly achieved all it set out to do and managed to doff a cap to the mythical status of these characters as well. Stirring stuff, and a fitting ending to the tale as well.
CultFix: Merlin: Series 5 Finale Review “The Diamond of the Day - Part 2″ 8/10
the rest of the episode wisely chose to focus on Merlin and Arthur’s relationship in the face of this major revelation. The pair go through an emotional rollercoaster and Colin Morgan and Bradley James are both superb.
Dan's Media Digest: Merlin, 5.13 - 'The Diamond of the Day: Part 2' 3/4 (NEW)
the core relationship between Merlin (Colin Morgan) and Arthur (Bradley James) took centre stage for the majority of the hour, and both actors elevated the iffy material-which has been their recurring skill on this show. Make no mistake about it, without Morgan and James in these key roles, the finale and the entire show would have been much poorer. [...] Arthur's gamut of reactions was particularly good: disbelief, scorn, anger, resentment, and then gradual acceptance once Merlin explained himself during their trek.
Digital Spy: 'Merlin' review: Our Verdict on the Final Episode 5/5There are many factors to Merlin's success, but a key part of it has always been the Merlin/Arthur dynamic - everybody loves a bromance - and this final episode devotes a pleasing amount of time to their relationship. Two men sat in the woods, talking about their feelings, might not sound like the stuff that edge-of-your-seat drama is made of, but after five years of set-up and outright teasing, this is exactly the kind of pay-off that fans needed, and it works brilliantly.
Film Thrasher: FTTV Reviews...Merlin 5.13 "The Diamond of the Day, Part 2" (NEW)
I want to thank the cast who was there from day one until the final moments: Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath and Richard Wilson for their hard work and dedication to such a wonderful series. And I want to wish them the best of luck in all their future endeavors. To those who have come and gone throughout the years: Anthony Head, Eoin Macken, Tom Hopper, Rupert Young, Adetomiwa Edun, Nathaniel Parker, Emilia Fox, Alexander Vlahos, Santiago Cabrera, Michelle Ryan, Caroline Faber, Tom Ellis, and the young Asa Butterfield. To all our wonderful guest stars including Warwick Davis, Terrence Maynard, Gary Lewis, Laura Donnelly, Ben Daniels, Miranda, Raison, Janet Montgomery, Liam Cunningham, John Bradley, Lindsay Duncan, and many many more wonderful actors who have lent their talent to this wonderful show. To the legendary John Hurt who has lent his voice for the wisdom of the series since the beginning until the very end. To all the directors who have helmed an episode for this wonderful show: Jeremy Webb, Alice Troughton, David Moore, Justin Molotnikov and so many more.
Geek Syndicate: TV REVIEW: Merlin Series 5, Episode 13 - The Diamond of the Day (Pt 2) 5/5
The racing of emotion going across his face
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at the betrayal
is amazing work by Bradley James and the pure fear and emotion from Colin Morgan make this scene truly incredible and everything I’ve been waiting to have happen since series one finished. [...] My heart grew 10 sizes with all the emotion we saw between Arthur and Merlin - Bradley James and Colin Morgan were spot on perfect; just absolutely heartwrenchingly incredible. Kudos also goes to Richard Wilson’s Gaius for making it through this series alive, to Angel Coulby for bringing her best to Gwen and to Katie McGrath for turning up Morgana’s crazy to the Nth degree! Of course, a show is also nothing without it’s supporting cast and I[Spoiler (click to open)]
was sad to see both Mordred and Gwaine die
- both Alexander Vlahos and Eoin Macken did such fantastic jobs with their characters.
Hypable: ‘Merlin’: Series Finale Review
It was such a beautiful transformation to see in the episode and superbly underplayed by Bradley James.This episode perhaps shows the strongest growth in Arthur’s character in a single episode of Merlin. Ultimately, these scenes worked because of Colin Morgan and Bradley James’ on-screen chemistry. They held the episode together and did a remarkable job at bringing a believability to the emotions of their characters.
Inside Media Track: ‘Merlin’ 5.13: ‘The Diamond Of The Day’ - Part 2 (Finale) Review
The real focus is the friendship and devotion of Merlin to Arthur. It’s one of the most sad yet empowering bromances you’ll see; There’s no doubt the tissues come in handy as there’s plenty of crying and declarations. Colin Morgan and Bradley James both acted superbly.
Liverpool Sound and Vision: Merlin, Television Review. B.B.C. Television.
The serial has made household names out of its younger stars, none the less the excellent Colin Morgan whose presence and portrayal of the young wizard marks him out as an exceptional actor, Coupled with this is his on-screen double-act with Bradley James. The man who grew into his role as the King of Camelot had one of the best partnerships to be in television/drama outside of the Steven Moffat Sherlock Holmes/John Watson or The Doctor/Companion. It takes exceptional writing to make this work and complete trust in the actor’s ability to bounce of each of each other with wit and good humour
Oneblondandonebrunette: Merlin 5.13: The Diamond of the Day Part 2 (new)
The scene is terrifically acted by Bradley James as he takes in a range of emotions; disbelief, shock, denial and anger. It’s heartbreaking to see Arthur’s rejection of Merlin and later when Gaius comes to help Merlin, Arthur’s realisation that Gaius has known about Merlin all along is a great moment.
SciFi Bulletin: Merlin: Review: Series 5 Episode 13: The Diamond of the Day Part 2 (Spoiler-filled!)
the episode belonged to Colin Morgan and Bradley James, quite rightly. James played Arthur’s reaction to
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Merlin’s revelation
with exactly the right amount of anger and disbelief - and finally acceptance - while Morgan was simply at his best throughout. If this could have been built on in future seasons, then I think Merlin would have been unbeatable. Ah well…
SciFi Pulse: In Review: Merlin - ‘Diamond of the Day Part 2′ 5/5
At its very core this episode is about the unfinished business between Arthur and Merlin and Arthur’s realisation that Merlin is perhaps the best friend and the bravest and most noble person he has ever known. [...] This episode is Merlin at its very best. It centres on the bond between the two men and
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the final moments of Arthur’s life
when he thanks Merlin are really touching.
SFX: Merlin 5.13 “The Diamond Of The Day (Part 2)” Review 4/5
So despite the odd pacing, the characters get an emotional resolution of sorts - even the Great Dragon - and the scenes with Arthur and Merlin are heartbreaking. It’s hard to believe this is the same show that gave us farting goblins or Lady Catrina the Troll. It’s gone on a tremendous journey from light-hearted teatime romp to something darker and more poignant. We’ll miss it.
Trollish Delver: Review: Merlin 5.13 - The Diamond of the Day Part 2
The final episode did have some pacing issues but where the story and character relationships are concerned, it did everything right. The
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magic reveal
was treated with respect and the relationship between Arthur and Merlin had never felt so close. The series, as much as it had been about adventure, has always been about these two men and their relationship that has been growing since the beginning and I'm happy to say that everything works out.
TV Equals: Merlin Series 5 Finale Review “Diamond of the Day - Part 2″ - The End.
I can’t end this review without mentioning the performances. Absolutely everyone outdid themselves this week. I’m not even going to pick out individual names because it’s probably time we all stopped the perpetual ‘which actor is better’ debates when it comes to this show. Absolutely everyone was wonderful this week and they’re all equally deserving of praise. But none more so than Eoin Macken’s hair and Tom Hopper’s arms. (Oh come on, we were all thinking it! I kid, I kid.)
When Acting is Not Enough: Merlin 5.13 "The Diamond of the Day" Part 2 Review
As
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Excalibur
is returned, there were some remarkable scenes between Bradley and Colin as Arthur asks why he did all this when he was more than a servant. Cos he wanted to, it was his job.